Folkswood was no match for Winx but he has managed to become just the fourth northern hemisphere-trained horse to finish top three in the Cox Plate.
The Charlie Appleby-trained English galloper Folkswood won the Listed Cranbourne Cup in the lead-up before finishing third in Saturday’s $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley.
While Humidor got within a long neck of Winx on the line, Folkswood came in another 4-1/4 lengths away in a performance Appleby’s travelling foreman Chris Connett said was probably a career-best run.
“He’s run a huge race taking on a super mare like Winx,” Connett said.
“He’s probably run a PB today.”
Five-year-old Folkswood has the option of now heading to the Group One Emirates Stakes (2000m) in two weeks at Flemington.
“I think Charlie has always said the Emirates Stakes was the target, but we’ll see how he pulls up and see what (jockey) Kerrin McEvoy says and Charlie will make a plan from there,” Connett said.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Adelaide is the only northern-hemisphere trained winner of the Cox Plate, achieving the feat in 2014.
Folkswood’s owner Sheikh Mohammed had an international runner finish in the placings in 2002 when Grandera ran third, while two years ago globetrotting star Highland Reel from the O’Brien stable was third to Winx.
McEvoy, who was striving to win his first Cox Plate, said Folkswood was brave.
“You couldn’t ask for much more,” he said.
Connett said it was a fantastic experience being a part of Saturday’s event in which Winx joined Kingston Town as the only three-time winners.
“It’s some experience,” he said.
“The crowd, and it’s just a thrill to be a part of it.”
And as for Winx?
“She’s something else, isn’t she,” Connett said.
